JSCC REAPS THE BENEFITS OF GRANT FUNDING IN PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION EQUIPMENT
James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) was recently awarded the High-Cost Health Care Expansion Grant of $397,000. The North Carolina Community College System provided this opportunity for healthcare education facilities to improve equipment and provide educators with the highest forms of technology to equip students for optimal performance. Colleges provided this aid were given a choice of how they wanted to use the funds. JSCC chose to upgrade its equipment.
Craig Garner, Director of Fire Safety and EMS for JSCC, shared that the upgrades in equipment have been a game changer for students and instructors alike. Specific equipment purchases were:
• Ambulance Simulator
• 5 new high-fidelity manikins
• 2 new airway manikins
• monitor
• miscellaneous equipment
Every community college healthcare program in the state of North Carolina was offered the opportunity to apply for this funding. This grant could benefit any educational department in the healthcare field (EMS, Allied Health, Nursing, etc.) Garner stated he would not miss an opportunity to apply for anything that would help his students.
Garner has worked hard to maintain a healthy partnership with the county emergency medical services to ensure that employees in Duplin County are well-trained. Duplin County EMS will have access to these devices as they take courses here at JSCC.
Duston Swinson is an EMS instructor for JSCC. He also serves as the training officer for Duplin County EMS. He is grateful for the opportunity to prepare students for the workforce.
Swinson stated,
“JSCC’s use of high-fidelity simulation and state-of-the-art prehospital care equipment permits DCEMS staff to experience realistic emergency scenarios and practice effective response strategies in a risk-free environment. Many of our team members started their EMS careers through initial education at James Sprunt, and we are very proud of the EMS careers and legacies that began right here at home (JSCC).”
Garner goes on to state,
“Our college has never had an ambulance simulator before or had this many high-fidelity manikins at once. This has provided an exceptional educational experience for our students.”
Swinson adds,
“The addition of multiple high-fidelity manikins—capable of simulating vital signs, skin conditions, hemorrhaging, and advanced EMS procedures—bridges the gap between training and real-world emergencies. The ambulance simulator further enhances realism by replicating the challenges of providing care in a moving vehicle, one of the most high-risk aspects of EMS. This controlled environment allows team members to safely adapt to the constantly changing dynamics of the patient care compartment while honing their critical thinking and treatment skills.”
Morgan Smith, Career and College Promise Liaison, worked with Garner to create and promote an event to showcase this amazing new equipment. Hands-On Heroes resulted in numerous high-school students being exposed to Public Safety and resulted in high levels of commitment from the students who attended.
Garner commented on the event stating,
“There are several high school students in our EMT class because of the Hands-On Heroes event. I think the event will help initiate the high school EMT class, which we hope to start next year.”
Garner hopes that the Public Safety program at JSCC will continue to thrive. “We have already experienced 75% growth in our EMS programs! I truly feel our willingness to help students, excellent staff, and customer service help set us apart.”
